"Child of our Time" Presenter to Deliver Cawthron Anniversary Lecture

The Englishman who brought us television series like "Child of Our Time" and "The Human Body" will deliver this year's Thomas Cawthron Memorial Lecture – which also marks the 90th anniversary of the Nelson science Institute.

Professor Robert Winston, who is probably best known for presenting many BBC television series including Superhuman, the Secret Life of Twins, Child of Our Time, Human Instinct and The Human Body, has achieved international prominence as an expert in human fertility.

He developed tubal microsurgery and various techniques in reproductive surgery, including sterilisation reversal. He set up an IVF service at Hammersmith Hospital, where, as Professor of Fertility Studies, he led the team, which pioneered pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, which identifies defects in human embryos.

A medical doctor, IVF pioneer, scientist, television presenter, former MP, and life peer, Professor Winston is also the author of a string of popular science books. His latest, Bad Ideas? tackles the dark side of technology.

In it he argues the combination of technology and marketing, together with a failure of scientists to make their work accessible to the lay person, has led to the dangers of science being understated or swept under the carpet.

Cawthron Trust Board Chairman, Bob Dickinson, says it is an exceptional honour to have a researcher of the calibre of Professor Winston deliver the anniversary lecture.

"The Cawthron lecture series, established in 1917 to honour the memory and legacy of our founder Thomas Cawthron, seeks to commemorate the achievements of scientists and innovators and to share scientific excellence with the community. For our 90th anniversary we wanted a scientist of international acclaim, and we could think of no greater contributor to science and to making science accessible to the general public, which is one of the primary goals of our annual lectures".

Bob Dickinson says while the lecture series has become a regular and very successful cultural event in its own right in Nelson, this year's event is even more special, because it falls in the 90th anniversary year of the Institute's founding.

"This is clearly a very significant occasion for us. Nine decades of science is a significant feat and being able to secure the talents of Professor Winston for our anniversary lecture will clearly add to the sense of occasion.

"His presence is sure to excite both scientific and general community interest and we are extremely honoured that he has been able to accept our invitation to be part of this very special event." Professor Winston, who has published over 300 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals, follows in the footsteps of many distinguished scientists and scholars who have shared their knowledge on a wide range of subjects over many decades of Cawthron lectures; including Sir Ernest Rutherford and Sir Edmund Hilary.

He will remain true to his research expertise with his keynote address which is titled: Manipulating Reproduction: Will Humans Survive?

In it, Professor Winston asks: "What hope is there for humanity?" on a planet, which is widely believed will consume resources and irreparably damage the environment, while at the same time enjoys powerful technologies which will enable the modification of the human genome, and possibly change how we define what it is to be human.

The 2011 Cawthron Lecture, is this year being hosted at the Annesbrook Church and Community Centre on Thursday 28 July at 7.30pm.

Admission, while FREE, will be by ticket only which can be requested through Cawthron by or phone 03 548 2319 from July 1st. Seating is limited.

While a guest of the Cawthron Institute, Professor Winston will also attend a stakeholder function in Wellington co-hosted by the Liggins Institute of The University of Auckland; attend a special function commemorating the 10th anniversary of Auckland's Liggins Institute, of which he is patron; and present a second lecture at The Opera House in Wellington on Tuesday 2 August 2011 co-hosted by the Liggins Institute and Cawthron Institute.

For more information:

Judene Edgar
Secretary, Cawthron Institute Trust Board
Phone: +64 3 548 2319 ext 390
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